| Question: How do I know the UL/LSA I’m buying is worth the money and is safe, and in good condition? |
| Answer:
Buying an LSA is more like buying a General Aviation (GA) aircraft, such as a Cessna. Buying an ultralight is a bit different, partly because ULs are (usually) far less money, but also there’s less to go wrong, more you can see, but no certifications. Before buying an ultralight, find someone that owns one or has owned several, someone you trust, someone who likes to get their hands dirty and fixes their own engines and such. They would be an excellent ally in buying an ultralight and not getting ripped off. To buy an S-LSA, well, they are just smaller version of Cessna’s and Piper’s and so forth, and there will probably be one or more dealers you can visit and talk to. The experience may be similar to buying an expensive car. Buying an E-LSA falls somewhere between the two. There may or may not be dealers, but there will usually be a kit manufacturer that you can talk to and get advice from. Finding someone that owns the same model you’re interested in would be of paramount importance. For any aircraft that isn’t brand-new and certified, it’s worth it to have an A&P mechanic go over the aircraft and give you a written report on its status. While an A&P might not be willing to do that for an ultralight, they will usually do it for an E-LSA (or GA aircraft that falls into the LSA performance envelope). Always make sure the aircraft will fly before you buy it. (This isn’t a problem with S-LSAs, as a rule, but do it anyway.) I always want to see an aircraft fly before I buy it, and I’ve yet to get a bad apple. |